Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan has strongly condemned a Houthi drone attack on a power distribution facility in Madinah, describing the incident as a “grave provocation” and warning that attacks on civilian infrastructure and areas linked to Islamic holy sites threaten regional peace and security.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the Taibah power distribution station, which supplies electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque, was targeted on September 29. It stressed that the sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques and the safety of worshippers and pilgrims must be respected under all circumstances.
The Foreign Office called for an immediate and unconditional end to what it described as reckless attacks and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security.
“Pakistan stands firmly with Saudi Arabia in its efforts to safeguard the Two Holy Mosques, protect its people and ensure the safety of pilgrims,” the Foreign Office said.
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The Saudi-led coalition has accused Yemen’s Houthi movement of carrying out the attack, saying a drone struck the Taibah electricity distribution station at 5:11 a.m. on September 29.
Coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Maliki said an investigation and analysis of the drone wreckage had established what the coalition described as Houthi involvement in planning and executing the attack.
According to the coalition, one transformer was taken out of service but the wider electricity network was not disrupted. The Houthis have denied responsibility, describing the Saudi accusation as unfounded.
The incident has triggered strong reactions from several Muslim-majority countries and institutions. Türkiye condemned what it described as an attack on civilian infrastructure in Madinah and called for such actions to stop immediately.
Qatar also condemned the reported attack, describing it as a violation of Saudi sovereignty and a threat to the sanctity of Islamic holy sites. The Arab League and Cairo-based Al-Azhar likewise criticized the incident and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
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The latest development comes amid a broader escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis after a period in which a UN-brokered truce had substantially reduced cross-border attacks following 2022.
The confrontation has intensified in recent months, with Saudi Arabia reporting drone and missile threats and responding with military operations against Houthi positions in Yemen. The Houthis, meanwhile, have accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out strikes against areas under their control.
Saudi Arabia had earlier reported another drone incident involving the holy city of Makkah. Pakistan strongly condemned that incident at the time, saying attacks threatening the security of the Haramain Sharifain and Saudi territory were unacceptable.
Pakistan’s latest statement also comes amid the implementation of its defense commitments with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
The three countries signed the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement in August, under which an armed attack against any one of the parties is to be considered an attack against all. Their foreign ministers subsequently met in New York during the UN General Assembly and discussed mechanisms for implementing the agreement, including plans for an urgent meeting of the three countries’ military chiefs.
